Another art camp at the cabin, another opportunity to get our hands dirty while creating what we all hope will turn out to be beautiful art.

Close to 2 years ago John Munger and Bill Dossett came to D&P to discuss an idea that Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak had - bringing a bike share program to our city. At this point we were basically starting from scratch. Their direction was to make it happen, period.

When you go to a home Twins game at the new Target Field, be sure to check out the Captain's Deck.

I had the distinct pleasure to join an amazing cast of creatives as a judge at this year's One Show Design competition in Brooklyn, NY.

We've been updating and expanding our website and online features. We will occasionally send out email news to our subscribers to show how we're using design to help our clients around the world.

A poster party. April 10, 7 pm - 12 am

Building creative thinking.

How about asking a native artist from the host nation to design your uniforms? That’s what the Dutch did, and I honestly think they deserve the gold medal in design.

The new, shippable display tray designed for New French Bakery was able to reduce corrugated use by 30%, saving resources and passing the savings on to consumers. Read more results, as published in the Feb 2010 article in Baking & Snack.

Ok, now that the games are in full swing and the official team uniforms have been exposed to millions around the world, it’s time to sharpen the pencils at the judge’s table. I must admit some of my earlier concerns have been dashed as I’ve had the chance to see more official team attire, particularly for Team USA.

The excitement is rising. The games will soon be here. I can’t wait. As someone raised in the ice and snow of Minnesota, the Winter Olympics are my favorite spectator event.

Did you watch the Super Bowl?

New expression for Asia's leading cosmetic brand poised for global expansion.

A snowflake. How can something so small have such intricate detail?

On of our print partners, Print for Change invites you to attend a benefit for Haiti this Thursday, January 21st, from 6-9pm at the Graves 601 Ballroom in downtown Minneapolis. 100% of all donations will go to Healing Haiti, a non-profit organization that provides water, food, housing and education to Haitians in need.

Let me introduce the smart, witty artwork of American artist Craig Damrauer.

Last minute gift inspiration

The country audience is the one we designers need to "play to" if we're going to broaden the appeal of our best work.

Whether you're an Iron Chef or a Top Chef fan you know points for "presentation" are just about as important as they are for taste.

I love Vegas. It is so over-the-top bling all jammed together that one wonders how anyone can possibly make sense of what they are seeing.

A ceramics show at the Walker Art Center got me thinking about the importance of working with my hands.

Coca-Cola just announced the new packaging designs for Minute Maid juices which are available around the world starting this month. Look for our latest work in your grocer's juice aisle!

In my life design has always been a way to connect me to the people I love and the things I believe in.

Barkeeping and branding are both in my blood...and have more in common than you might think.

Basin White visitors find inspiration and joy in unexpected places.

Established as, “the most beautiful urban marathon in America,” the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon has become an iconic event in the Minneapolis / St. Paul community, as well at Duffy & Partners. Duffy created this marathon brand by developing the primary identity and a subsequent series of posters that were displayed throughout both cities.

We are living in interesting times. Never before have we been so connected. Our ability to interact is nearly unlimited. Technology is a most formidable tool, the driver, a catalyst in the laboratory of life.

Nature never fails to produce something new and interesting. Connecting it with your craft yields inspired solutions.

The brands that have been designed in the best possible ways have their own proprietary language that tells their story, sets them apart from all the brands they compete with, and connects them in a very meaningful way to their audience.

Design is as much a process as it is an end product. And it should be a process that designers and clients resolve to make simple.

The only way to truly create an appropriate and effective brand is to do your homework. Whether you are building a brand from scratch or revitalizing an existing brand that needs to re-find its relevance in today's world. Immersing yourself in the brand's past, present and possible future is the most important first step.

Thanks for nothing.

Giving Push to Brand Helps Company Make Dough During Recession

Simple good things for good people.

This past weekend I participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in the Twin Cities, walking 60 miles over the course of 3 days. Over 2500 walkers joined in the fight against breast cancer, raising over $6.1 Million, to benefit Susan G. Komen For the Cure in their efforts against the horrible disease.

I was thrilled to be asked to design graphics and the mural for this year's Art-A-Whirl event held by Creative Electric Studios, an impressive collaborative of writers, musicians, actors, film makers and craftspeople. Thanks to Jenny Adams Salmela and Dave Salmela of Creative Electric for heading up this art bash and for including me.

-verb (used with object) 2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.

Lassonde, the largest refrigerated juice company in Canada, recently launched a new product in its Oasis line that contains Wellmune WGP, an ingredient whose biological effect on the immune system has been scientifically proven.

The AIGA South Dakota chapter invited me out to present our work to a group of local designers, ad people and students. I had never been to Sioux Falls before and I was excited for the opportunity to share our process, work and thoughts on the business of graphic design.

Shock Doctor

Pioneer beef jerky products bring new, bold attitude to the shelves.

A new gallery at www.duffy.com

A gourmet experience consumers can share and savor from the comfort of home

I had the good fortune of leaving the frozen tundra a few weeks back and traveled to sunny San Diego to address the local creative community and to visit our client, Jack in the Box. We spent one full afternoon visiting various restaurants that had installed our new design in various signage formats.

I recently finished my latest painting, a portrait of a friend/client’s daughter, “Sarah.”

One super cold Minnesota weekend, I actually left the house....

That’s our mission.

Our thanks to Kimberly Elam of Digital Web Magazine for her nice article "Web Design by Designers" which profiles the newly upgrade duffy.com.

A gala open house event featured Art for the River created by the designers at Duffy & Partners to raise awareness and funds for the Mississippi River Fund.

A new study shows how the immune health supplement keeps fire fighters in better physical health for their grueling job.

a new duffy.com experience awaits you.

Thymes catches the eyes of Comm Arts jurors.

The successful partnership of Webb Restaurants and Duffy & Partners debut a new restaurant for Gander Mountain - the leading outdoor sports retailer.

Mona Lisa at Celebration is now welcoming visitors to the exciting DisneyWorld and Orlando area.

New branding for Points of Light Institute and Hands On Network was unveiled at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Atlanta on June lst.

The May 2008 issue of Metro highlights the history and work of Joe Duffy of Duffy & Partners.

We are thrilled to recognized by Monadnock Paper Mills as the third firm to be profiled in their Masters of Design series.

Pink gloves, tiaras, feather boas...and a fixed focus on breasts.

Strength with Class

A new brand Mia Relax features Wellmune and new clinical research demonstrates how Wellmune helps you fight symptoms of the common cold.

Kardia Health Systems' new brand langugage — designed by Duffy & Partners — is designed to communicate how cardiology care is being reinvented by new technology.

Duffy & Partners has received Merit awards in the Package Design catagory.

Duffy & Partners received a total of seven awards at the Minnesota AIGA Design Show on Thursday, March 13 at the awards gala at the Weismann Art Museum in the Twin Cities. Click here to see the winning entries.

Thymes has recently created a new line of luxury bath and body collection, the first collection in a new brand called: Beauty of Bathing.

Read Joe's view on the power of design.

Pity the poor logo, called upon to do so much, in oh so little space, in brevity of line, in never enough time. Expectations at impossible levels, minimal, miniature, minute, expressing everything that is known, about a product, a service, a company, an earth altering idea, a country? We want logos to change the face of time, reverse men’s fortunes, erase national debts, for crying out loud – all in the blink of an eye.

Communication Arts March/April issue feaures American Eagle Outfitters new headquarters in Environmental Graphic Design.

Duffy & Partners to provide branding for leading edge Minnesota based cardiac healthcare company.

Duffy & Partners' work is currently being showcased at The Eisner - American Museum of Advertising & Design in Milwaukee, Wisconsin through Sunday, May 4, 2008.

Check out photos of Duffy's work on display. 

Basin White is an elegant extension of the Basin brand.  Located on the mezzanine level at Disney World's landmark Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Basin White offers giftable bath and beauty products that combine modern design with Victorian charm. 

I once again had the pleasure of accompanying my father to visit and present our work and design process to students and staff at Portfolio Center in Atlanta. This was a whirlwind trip and our only regret was not having more time to spend there.

To you and yours, D&P sends you wishes of good cheer for this holiday season and a wonderful New Year!

7 logos designed by Duffy & Partners win Gold Awards, with a Platinum Award going to D&P for its own logo.

Showing completed furniture, fixtures, art and accessories, Mona Lisa completes a Model Suite for display. With completion targeted for the end of the year, Mona Lisa has pre-sold most of their rooms in the condo hotel in Celebration, Florida.

Entry judged "Best of Show" in the 2007 M-real Corporate Communication Contest

It has always been our philosophy that what we do at Duffy & Partners is about thoughtfully blending art with commerce. In the case of American Eagle, the work we’ve created for their new headquarters is as brand right as it is artful and even cultural for AEO employees and the citizens of Pittsburgh.

Tours of our studio are available. Schedule yours today.

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Designed in a collaborative partnership with Morris Adjmi Architects, Duffy & Partners work on the new suites hotel in Celebration, Florida will soon be opening for business.

Thanks to Bart Cleveland for his recent post on Adage.com and his kind words about Duffy & Partners branding effort for The Bahamas.

An enormous collection of prints:

Have you heard about the BMW Ultimate Driving Experience? Sign up to participate — for every mile driven, $1 is donated to Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

Designing a brand. Being a brand. Not marketing a brand.

The award winning innovative new ingredient brand is clinically proven to help enhance the immune system.  Wellmune will be made available through many popular foods and beverages in the near future.

Duffy partnered with AEO to create a new corporate headquarters to foster a work environment that celebrates their mission of helping young people to 'live their life".  Learn more about AEO's new offices at SouthSide works on the banks of the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh.

Congratulations to Biothera for winning the Food Expo Innovation Award for its revolutionary new ingredient brand Wellmune. 

The New York Times, NBC's Today Show, and CNN all feature on-board video captured with the new V.I.O. wearable video camera technology during a long delayed Delta flight 5637.

There is nothing more powerful than the words you hear from people you trust and respect.  In fact, research indicates that a word of mouth recommendation is the number one factor in persuading someone to try a product.  Design can create the ripple effect that gets people talking about your product and allows your marketing budget to actually decrease.

The fact is that men and women are different. So it may not surprise you that their hair and scalp care needs vary, too. Duffy is proud to introduce our newest work for Aveda: AM.

Duffy & Partners new designs for Aveda Men is on its way to a fine salon near you.

It's the Information Age, or the Age of Information Overload-whichever you prefer-and the context for design is also changing. In the quest to get closer to customers, designers need to be aware of trends that interfere.

In only its second year, the Mill City Farmers Market has grown to include a Thursday evening market to an always-packed Sunday morning schedule in downtown Minneapolis.

Helping brand powerful new technology to improve the immune system.

Products featured in the upcoming back to school edition.

Scheduled to open this fall, Mona Lisa continues construction at its first location in Celebration, Florida, just minutes away from Disney World.

This past workshop was even miles above the years past and it has become clear that China is dead set on being a major player in the world wide advertising and design industry.

"the power of this identity is that it is not just a logo but a flexible, visual language with infinite applications.  It's authenticity guarantees that the experience will match the perception."

 Alina Wheeler in Designing Brand Identity

The bible of the advertising industry declares "the ad business is crushing itself under the weight of it's own messaging."

The fruitful efforts of a long-term partnership bore a refined name and identity as well as revitalized packaging for many existing products, as well as new products and packaging solutions.

Sweden's leading on-line magazine devoted to creativity features a "chronicle" entitled "It's Design's Time."

The new Sweetleaf Baby Collection from Thymes is featured in the April 2007 issue of Town and Country.

Duffy and Partners unveils the new brand identity program for V.I.O.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

A story of integration, synthesis and leadership.

Each year, the staff at MN Monthly magazine selects the "best of" for local shopping, eating, experiencing, etc. Once again, the 2006 newcomer to local farmers' markets has been recognized as one of the best new markets.

Damn, what a city. I already miss it and it’s only been 1 week since the super high speed magnetic train slung me from Pudong to Shanghai International at an amazing 431 km per hour. That was a trip in and of itself – all 7 minutes of it. With the terrible traffic congestion the morning I left Mogenshan Road arts area, I was told the same trip by cab would have been over an hour. When the hell are we going to build the rails for these pollution-free, comfortable, speed demons in America? Oh well, that’s probably another subject, for a future post.

Duty regularly calls, even on the other side of the world and this trip was no exception to that rule. Just as I was looking forward to Patsy, hamburgers and the comfort of my own bed, I was asked to meet with a new client in Seoul. The timing was actually fortuitous because it saved a return flight to Asia, the week before Christmas and my few days in Seoul – my first trip there - were a real eye-opener. So I called on my favorite Korean designer, Li’l E, or Esther Mun, as she’s also known, had her meet me in Seoul and we set off on a new cultural adventure, for me at least.

You know how when you take an amazing, life-altering trip somewhere that makes you think differently about the world you live in and you desperately wish you could capture all the important parts just the way they happened and bring it all back home to share with everyone you care about? You know how, in those situations, your digital shots taken on the fly, without much thought, let alone photographic talent, don’t begin to do such an experience justice? If you do, you know how I feel every time I return home from China; that is, until this year’s trip.

Extending the Frasier Fir Collection via New, Artistic Expressions

Minneapolis Farmers Market On The Magazine's List of "100 Tastes You Must Try In 2007"

Contemporary art grows in Shanghai.

Not to be outdone by Beijing’s burgeoning 798 Arts District, the artists of Shanghai have responded with their own neighborhood of studios, living spaces and galleries. It’s a very cool scene that I’m glad I happened upon just in the nick of time. Unfortunately I didn’t get word on the area until the night before I was leaving Shanghai, so once again, I was looking for art on a Monday and worse yet, it was an early, rainy Monday. Nonetheless, I was able to scout it out, snap a few shots and make a plan for next year’s trip. Given the pace of this crazy town, it will no doubt double in size by then.

A day off in Shanghai and a little shopping is in order.

Once again, it was an amazing stay in Beijing. The city, as always, is framed in imposing heritage and tradition but now includes surprises that are being put in place for the millions who will visit here in some 600+ days. Word is that all construction will (must) be completed 365 days prior to the opening ceremonies and one full year will be spent cleaning the air and scrubbing the entire city to a porcelain shine. Should be quite a show.

He was far and away the best student in my Beijing workshop in 2003 and now his work just keeps getting better. Wang Yuwei, or WZL as he refers to himself, is a young designer working his way up in the emerging Beijing design scene.

Recently, our client Thymes was featured in two shows on KARE-TV in Minneapolis. Download the morning show segments to view and learn about Thymes, their products, and their new packaging designed by Duffy & Partners.

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist hamming it up with all the outdoor art in the 798 Arts District of Beijing. What is it about outdoor sculpture that makes you need to become a part of it? … or maybe it’s just me.

GQ challenged nine of the country's most talented designers, including Duffy & Partners, to create new license plate designs for their state.

A Duffy tradition was born over twenty years ago, over a couple of glasses of wine. It came from a place of good cheer. The idea was to share festive spirits for the holidays with clients, friends and families. The first design featured Mr. Claus himself. We printed 2 cases with a beautifully silk-screened label—a novelty at that time.

To offer consumers a fresh alternative to Diet Coke, Coca-Cola chose to revitalize Fresca, a 39-year-old existing brand, rather than introduce a new one. The new Fresca design better captures a more modern and sophisticated expression of the brand.

New products, new styling, new colors, new stores.
Just in time for holiday shopping.

I think this is trip number 13 or 14 to China and it still amazes me that such a transition takes place over such a short period of time. Despite the added hassles of international travel over past 5 years, I have to admit, it’s a pretty easy get.

Rock, Clay and Wood

2 Campaign Briefs – Over 3,000 Entries

This year’s entrants in The One Club China student and young professional workshops were given a choice between 2 assignments, one for Mastercard, based on the successful “Priceless” campaign and one for a pro-bono campaign that promotes hybrid technology.

This year's entries were up from last year and came in from advertising and design programs in 33 of China’s provinces. This year, as well as last, we included a category for young professionals in both disciplines.

The primary identity for The Islands Of The Bahamas presents a vibrant expression that reflects the multiplicity of destinations and personalities.

This is the sixth year I’ve been involved in the China workshops. Each year we invite advertising and design students from throughout China to create work from a defined brief. The top students, based on online judging of their work, are then invited to participate in the workshops.

Three words—return on investment. Simple enough to understand. Isn’t it the equivalent of the amount of sales required to recuperate the cost to successfully market a product or service? It’s time to think again. Today marketers need to consider these four steps in building your brand to deliver ROI in a changed world of marketing.

EDS turned to Duffy & Partners to create an identity and unique branded applications to reflect the humility and integrity of this once-in-a-lifetime partnership with Byron Nelson. It was an opportunity for us to pay tribute and keep alive the legacy of golf’s greatest hero.

From notebooks to flashcards, index cards to journals, the Myndology identity encompasses products that are designed to inspire a sense of good thinking, creativity and organization.

We helped introduce Sony to China by creating a branded experience in the form of an interactive gallery. The environment educates and inspires Chinese consumers to learn more about Sony and its technologies, thereby creating desire for their products.

Featured in the Pioneer Press as well as Dexigner.com, Myndology's new designs are turning heads.